CHAIN GANG BANG28 October 2003 / Academy 2 / Manchester :: The Raveonettes ::
As with the best erotic films, it’s not what we see but what is suggested which turns us on

SATANS BANANA31 October 2003 / Satan's Hollow / Manchester :: Melt Banana :: Narcosis ::
A performance which had me reeling and questioning the very nature in which music is made. Gig of the year by a country mile.

SEE THE LIGHT21 October 2003 / The Roadhouse / Manchester :: Razorlight :: The BellRays ::
Lisa Kekaula, a hip shakin’ diva with one hell of a voice. A lethal secret weapon that could add a bit of sex and sparkle to the most average, rock’n roll outfit

STAND AND DELIVER29 October 2003 / Academy 3 / Manchester :: The Bandits ::
The Bandits look likely favourites for much more to follow next year.

GOLDEN RETRIEVERS22 October 2003 / Academy 1 / Manchester :: Super Furry Animals ::
SFA leave The Coral looking a bit like amateurs in such a game as the new “psychedelic movement

LAND OF THE GIANTS30 October 2003 / The Witchwood, Ashton Under Lyne / Manchester :: Waiger :: Barfly :: Oceansize ::
Oceanic performances preceeded by off-shore squawl, as the Witchwood hosts the final leg of Oceansizes Autumn / winter season .

ERRATIC VOLUMES18 October 2003 / Academy 1 / Manchester :: Mogwai ::
"Do you have any idea of how important that note that I’m playing is?”

A RICH RICE17 October 2003 / Academy 2 / Manchester :: Damien Rice ::
An emotional night that the people lucky enough to have had ticket will surely remember.

FRIENDLY FUNERALS AND BIG HONDOS12 October 2003 / Academy 2 / Manchester :: Hondo Maclean :: Funeral For A Friend ::
Tonight, on the eve of the release of debut album ‘Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation’, FFAF are playing to a Sold Out audience at one of the larger venues in Manchester

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL12 October 2003 / Academy 3 / Manchester :: The Sleepy Jackson ::
A band renowned for being a little left of centre, tonight walk right down the middle of the road

REMEMBER THEM16 October 2003 / Academy 3 / Manchester :: British Sea Power ::
A glorious electricity runs through BSP's set and current tour - a band whose set list includes check guitars, align owls, test drum mics, attach trees to monitors...

DUBLIN SURF08 October 2003 / Academy 1 / Manchester :: The Thrills ::
The Thrills purists have turned out but the crowd seems to be diluted by a odd selection of people who evidently picked the album up in Tesco’s

BEST LAID PLANS08 October 2003 / Academy 3 / Manchester :: The Holiday Plan ::
Somewhere between the muscular angst of Hot Water Music, the punked-up pop of The Get Up Kids and the dark, wistful plaids of Sunny Day Real Estate

FESTIVAL OF BRITON (FRI)10 October 2003 / The Roadhouse / Manchester :: Misty Dixon :: TVH-3 ::
A great week, a varied and enjoyable showcase of the astounding array of musical talent in town

FESTIVAL OF BRITON (THURS)09 October 2003 / The Roadhouse / Manchester :: Moco :: The Obsession :: Jackie O ::
Great music should make you do things like this. I think.

HIGH VOLTAGE REFORMS GROT03 October 2003 / Karumba / Manchester :: The Sonar Yen ::
No on stage histrionics, just brooding intros that flourish into epics of intensity

FOUR SEASONS09 October 2003 / Life Cafe (now see Studio / Chicago Rock) / Manchester :: Glass :: Lookin :: The Maker :: Forena ::
Four quite different takes on rock, from blistering chugga to carefully manicured distortion, charabanc present more at life

THREE WAYS08 October 2003 / Barfly / Masque / Liverpool :: Fi-Lo Radio :: Kinesis :: Oceansize ::
Three great emerging Mcr based acts and an exciting slab of next-gen rock all on one night. You never had it so good.

AUTUMN FALL02 October 2003 / The BierKeller / Manchester :: The Fall :: Dr Freak’s Padded Cell ::
Mark E Smith is out there, somewhere, doing what he does and we should be weirdly re-assured by that

BLACKS BACK01 October 2003 / Academy 1 / Manchester :: Frank Black :: (and The Catholics) ::
It would be neigh on impossible to argue Frank Blacks' impact on modern guitar music was anything less than pivotal

ELBOW MOVE JOINT03 October 2003 / Academy 1 / Manchester :: Elbow ::
The respectful participation of the crowd and the strongest set that they could have played made tonight at the Academy another Elbow gig it was a privilege to attend